Gwangju and Jeonnam Political Circles: "A Natural Decision for a Fair Election" (Comprehensive)

Postponement of Lee Jae Myung's Trial Hailed as "A Victory for the Sovereign People"
Renewed Calls for Accountability of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui Dae

As the first retrial hearing for Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung, who is accused of violating the Public Official Election Act, has been postponed to June 18, political figures and local government leaders in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions have all expressed their welcome. While the court's decision to suspend the trial before the presidential election has been evaluated as an 'inevitable measure to ensure the fairness of the election,' there has also been a series of criticisms regarding the Supreme Court's judicial intervention.

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae Myung is greeting supporters and citizens as he attends a meeting of the Senior Citizens Association Iksan Branch held at the Senior Citizens Association Iksan City Branch in Iksan, Jeonbuk on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

The 7th Criminal Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Lee Jaegwon) announced on the 7th that the first hearing, originally scheduled for the 15th, would be postponed to June 18 "to guarantee the defendant, who is a presidential candidate, an equal opportunity for election campaigning and to eliminate any controversy over the fairness of the trial."

Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju, stated, "The postponement of the trial is an entirely natural decision," adding, "Fairness is the most important virtue in an election, and this measure is a realization of that value."

Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeonnam, also called it "a very good decision," and argued, "All other trials involving candidate Lee Jae Myung should also be postponed until after the presidential election." Governor Kim further emphasized responsibility, saying, "Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui Dae's judicial intervention in the presidential election is an act that infringes upon the sovereignty of the people."

The leadership of the Democratic Party's Gwangju and Jeonnam branches also issued statements. Yang Bunam, Chair of the Gwangju City Party (Gwangju Seo-gu Eul), described it as "an entirely natural decision," while Joo Cheolhyeon, Chair of the Jeonnam Provincial Party (Jeonnam Yeosu Gap), called it "a victory for the people."

Members of the National Assembly representing Gwangju and Jeonnam also responded strongly. Min Hyungbae (Gwangju Gwangsan Eul) said, "The postponement of the retrial is a victory for the sovereign citizens, and Supreme Court Justice Cho Hui Dae, as the chief architect of this judicial coup, should take responsibility and step down."

Lee Gaeho (Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, Jangseong in Jeonnam) emphasized, "The president is elected by the people, not by the court." Kim Won Yi (Mokpo, Jeonnam) said, "We have blocked Cho Hui Dae's judicial coup," and appealed, "Please give overwhelming support to candidate Lee Jae Myung."

Jeong Jinwook (Gwangju Dongnam Gap) stated, "The postponement of the trial is a result of the people's resistance, the conscientious voices within the court, and a strategic victory by the Democratic Party leadership," adding, "I will fight to the end for Cho Hui Dae's resignation and for the postponement of the trial."